Chemical Engineering Basics - Engineering

Q1:

If a nuclear reactor produces more fissile nuclear fuel than it consumes, then it is called a __________ reactor.

A critical

B breeder

C fertile

D heterogenous

ANS:B - breeder

If a nuclear reactor produces more fissile nuclear fuel than it consumes, then it is called a breeder reactor. Breeder reactors are designed to produce more fissile material (such as plutonium-239 or uranium-233) than they consume during operation. They achieve this by utilizing fertile materials (such as uranium-238 or thorium-232) as fuel. These fertile materials absorb neutrons and undergo nuclear reactions, ultimately converting into fissile materials, which can then be used as fuel in the reactor. Breeder reactors play a crucial role in the generation of nuclear power and are considered a potentially sustainable source of nuclear energy due to their ability to produce more fuel than they consume.